Category Archives: Funny

Before you throw out an out-of-date couch, give it a second chance. Restored pillows may make all the difference.

My husband and I were given a free set of comfortable couches that had a lot of potential. I decided to simply change the pattern on one side of the pillows, which had a floral design on one side and a checkered pattern on the other. The checkered pattern had served its time and I was ready to cover it with a fun, geometric patterned fabric. I chose a lawn-green fabric from Jo Ann Fabric. Linen-white lines in the fabric created a geometric pattern that I fell in love with. Later in the project, I bought a few more yards of the same fabric with a different pattern. For three 24 x 24″ pillows, I bought 2 1/4 yards and had a lot left over. Here are some other ideas for green, patterned fabrics: Waverly Parterre and Lattice Lagoon Fabric.

The first step I took in re-sewing my couch pillows was to gather supplies: Sewing machine, seam ripper, fabric scissors, sewing head pins, thread, sewing needle.Then I ripped the seams along the edges of the pillows and washed and ironed the old fabric (I also placed the stuffing into a bag to re-use after sewing).

Once the ripping was accomplished, I cut the new fabric to match the old pillow’s dimensions. I then pinned the two squares together with their right sides facing each other.

The pillow was ready to be sewn together (with a half-inch seam allowance). I left an 8-inch space open for stuffing.

After I turned the pillow right side-out and adjusted the corners, I re-stuffed the pillow and hand-stitch the 8-inch opening.

Once I placed these pillows on my couch, I knew this was a must needed project for my living room and I was so glad I took the time to improve my couches.